Philly Group Collects Plastic Bags, Donates Blankets To Needy

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On this "America Recycles Day," shoppers were being urged to take their plastic bags back to the store to benefit families in need.

At Macy's department store in center city, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful executive director Phoebe Coles was competing with the drone of shoppers and the strains of the Macy's organ to draw people to her table at the Center Court.

It was the kickoff of the "Bags to Blankets" campaign.  Coles handed out reusable canvas bags so people could collect plastic shoppnig bags and return them to any of 300 participating retailers in the area.

"There are schools around the city that will be collecting plastic bags and, for every 200 bags they collect, we'll donate a blanket to a family in need," she said.

And she pointed out that the blankets are made out of recycled plastic:

"Because most people don't realize that fleece is actually partially recycled plastic."

You can learn more about the campaign by visiting bringitbackphilly.org.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.